Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Carlos Vela and LAFC are looking to get a giant leap back to MLS’ elite teams.
There certainly have not been lack of news on LAFC’s front during the offseason.
Such a scenario was avoidable after a 2021 season that turned out to be subpar, certainly for the standards LAFC set in its first three seasons of existence. LAFC battled through numerous injuries, most notably to star forward Carlos Vela, and also inconsistency at the keeper position, and the end result was LAFC missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That only prompted more change, as LAFC begins the 2022 season with a new head coach, and hopefully with it a renewed focus and energy that catapults them back into a championship contender.
After coming out blazing in its first three seasons in MLS, a stretch that included a Supporters Shield title in 2019 and a trip to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2020, it seemed that whatever could go wrong did go wrong for LAFC in 2021. Injuries were the main factor, as key players such as Eduard Atuesta and Eddie Segura missed a good amount of time, with the latter suffering a season-ending ACL injury in July. The most notable loss however was the loss of Vela, who played in only 20 of 34 matches in 2021. Vela also missed time due to injury, with the most notable injury being that to his right quad.
It wasn’t just injuries that played a role in LAFC’s subpar 2021 season. LAFC was also plagued by inconsistency at the keeper position. LAFC began the season with Pablo Sisniega, who had shown flashes of his potential throughout the 2019 season, but he struggled early on and soon gave way to Tomas Romero in late June. Romero filled in admirably, getting the win and a shutout in his first start, but he eventually also fell victim to inconsistent play, and LAFC went overseas to address the position and brought in Jamal Blackman from England, but alas, was also not enough to save the season for LAFC.
Not all of it was bad for LAFC in 2021. LAFC got breakout performances from midfielder Jose Cifuentes and center back Jesus David Murillo, who made the all-star team last year. It was a mid-season acquisition however that was key to keeping LAFC in the playoff race, as Colombian Striker Cristian Arango came over from Millonarios and gave life to LAFC, scoring 14 goals in just 17 matches.
Which brings us to the 2022 season. LAFC got a taste of how good they can be in Saturday’s season-opening win over Colorado, as Vela torched the Rapids with three goals and looked every bit the player he was when he won MVP honors in 2019. There is personal motivation for Vela to return to top form, as his contract with LAFC is up in the summer, and should Vela return to his 2019 form, is in line for a big payday, either from LAFC, a club overseas or perhaps in Mexico.
Vela however will not be looked on alone to carry the load. LAFC fans are salivating at the top of Vela and Arango paired up top. It didn’t happen on Saturday though, as Arango came off the bench in the 72nd minute, though we should expect to see the two playing together at some point. LAFC are also hoping this season will finally be the breakout season for Brian Rodriguez. The Uruguayan forward came to Los Angeles midway through the 2019 season, but has struggled to establish himself for LAFC. Rodriguez has shown flashes of his potential, such as a Golazo against the LA Galaxy back in August, and LAFC are hoping things finally fall into place for Rodriguez this season.
LAFC will also have the advantage of an open designated player spot, as Diego Rossi’s loan move to Fenerbache, which occurred back in August, was finally made permanent weeks ago, so LAFC will finally have a major opportunity to further upgrade its roster. LAFC also upgraded the keeper position during the offseason, as they paid a steep price acquired Maxime Crepeau from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
And we haven’t even gotten to the new guy patrolling the LAFC sidelines starting this season. LAFC made the decision to move on from Bob Bradley, who is now the head coach for Toronto FC, reuniting him with son Michael. LAFC has turned to another decorated American as its new head coach, legendary USMNT defender Steve Cherundolo. After a storied career in Germany for Hannover 96 as well as the US National Team, Cherundolo had coaching stints in Europe and the USMNT, then got a taste of a head coaching gig last season with LAFC’s USL affiliate Las Vegas Lights. While record-wise, the 2021 season was not a good one for Vegas, both LAFC and Cherundolo stressed the development of the players on the Lights squad, and none more so that Mamadou Fall, who following his stint with Las Vegas appeared in 19 matches for LAFC and played well, scoring four goals and providing quality play on the LAFC backline.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
LAFC believes Steve Cherundolo, center, is the right man for the franchise.
There are a lot of questions to be answered for LAFC in 2022. Can Vela build on his hot start to the season? Can he and Arango form the sort of partnership up front that could wreak havoc on opposing MLS defenses? Can LAFC avoid the same kind of bad luck with injuries and inconsistent play? Is Crepeau the answer for LAFC at keeper? Is Cherundolo ultimately the right coach for LAFC? Saturday’s win offers a glimpse of what could be in store for LAFC if everything goes right. If so, 2022 could prove to be a story of redemption for LAFC.
